Adolescent Perspectives on Fathers’ Rights in Post-Divorce Malaysia: A Children’s Rights Education Approach

This study explores Malaysian adolescents’ perspectives on fathers’ rights post-divorce, emphasizing the role of children’s rights education within the country’s dual legal system (civil and Syariah law). Through qualitative interviews with 15 adolescents aged 13–18 from diverse ethnic and custody arrangements, the research reveals three key findings: (1) widespread limited legal awareness of paternal rights, with most participants unaware of shared custody provisions; (2) the dominant influence of cultural and religious norms, particularly among Malay-Muslim adolescents, who often internalized maternal preference as divinely ordained; and (3) a strong demand for rights education, as participants expressed frustration at learning about custody laws only through personal crises. The findings highlight a critical gap between Malaysia’s ratification of the UNCRC and its practical implementation, underscoring systemic failures in engaging children’s voices in custody matters. The study advocates for child-inclusive legal reforms and school-based rights education tailored to Malaysia’s multicultural context, arguing that empowering adolescents with legal knowledge could foster fairer perceptions of paternal rights and align custody practices with children’s best interests. Limitations include the focus on Peninsular Malaysia, suggesting future research in East Malaysia and longitudinal studies. This research contributes to global discourses on children’s participation rights while offering actionable insights for policymakers, educators, and family courts in Malaysia.